Many of us involved with ESF are either guides or instructors and are keen to promote fly fishing in any way we can. An important part of this is involving youngsters. We were really excited when Jeremy Ball told us about The Rutland Youth Fishing Day being held on July 22nd and wanted to try and let as many people as possible know about it!
How did your fishing career start? When you were a kid, did dad show you the ropes? Maybe it was granddad or an uncle, or even an aunt? What if no one had taken the time to introduce you to fishing, or there was no one with the skills to pass on to the next generation, what then?
In 2011 Rutland Water Fly Fishers seized the initiative and held a Junior’s day, it was a great success and saw boys & girls out on the water catching fish. Following on from its success, the RWFF have organised the ‘Rutland Youth Fly Fishing Day’, which this year will be held on July 22nd.
James Roche, of the Angling Development Board, has been working closely with the RWFF had this to say:
“The Rutland Youth Fly Fishing Day has the potential to have a massive impact on introducing more young people to fly fishing. Rutland Water Fly Fishers are working to ensure that potential barriers that block participation in fly fishing are overcome to make sure that any young person has the chance to become a fly fisherman. The Youth Day is going to be a fantastic event and something that the Angling Development Board is pleased to be a part of.”
James has managed to secure funding worth £3250.00 from the Environment Agency. Hugh Bunker, of the EA, said:
"I am so pleased Rutland Water Fly Fishers are running this event in July. I am thrilled the club has asked for our support and that we are able to contribute to the largest youth fly fishing day ever. This event promises to be a fantastic day for all involved."
The event will (hopefully!) be a fun day for 10-17 year olds who want to learn to fly fish, or improve their fly fishing skills. The day will run from 10am until 7pm and cost £15. Tackle hire, fishing permits, boat hire, tuition, barbeque and membership of Rutland Water Fly Fishers club for the rest of the year, are all included in the cost. The youngsters will spend the morning learning to cast, set up the tackle and, time permitting, maybe tie a fly! The afternoon will see them boat fishing for trout on Rutland Water, with an experienced angler.
Anglian Water are supporting the event by providing 45 boats free of charge, the rest of the fleet has been booked for the day which means there are places for 130 youngsters.
Most of the boatmen will come from the RWFF, but for the event to succeed, volunteers will be needed. If you fancy helping someone embark on a life long passion, please register your interest on the Youth Day website, www.rutlandwaterflyfishers.co.uk.
The Fly Dressers Guild and the England Youth Fly Fishing Team will have a presence on the day; the FDG will be running their ‘tie your first fly’ stall.
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